Date:
November 10, 2026
Location:
Grand Traverse Resort
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard
Acme, MI 49610
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard
Acme, MI 49610
Time:
Registration begins at 8:00 AM
Training is from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM
Continental Breakfast will be served.
Lunch will be served.
Cost:
$195.00
Details:
The 2026 Early On Michigan Preconference offers both morning and afternoon half-day sessions. Participants will have an opportunity to dig deeper into topics such as early intervention leadership, parent-child interaction observation, motor development, behavior, and more!
Preconference Rates:
By October 4: $195.00; Student/LICC Parent: $55.00
After October 4: $250.00; Student/LICC Parent: $55.00
Applying for Discounted Rates:
Full-time Students who wish to attend and receive the discounted rate must provide documentation on university letterhead indicating their enrollment at the college or university.
Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) parents who wish to attend and receive the discounted rate must provide documentation on ISD/agency letterhead indicating their current involvement as an LICC parent.
Attendees traveling more than 300 miles, one-way, to attend the preconference and/or conference are eligible for the discounted rate of half off the preconference and/or conference rates.
Please email requests for discounted rates and documentation to eoconference@ccresa.org or fax it to (517) 668-0446.
Accessibility Accommodations
We are committed to making our conference accessible and welcoming to all attendees. If you need accommodations—such as mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance—to participate effectively in the event, please indicate your needs in your online registration form. You can also contact CCRESA OIP at (866) 334-5437 or eoconference@ccresa.org. Please submit requests at least 4 weeks in advance (by October 13) to ensure we have adequate time to fulfill your accommodation requirements. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate requests received after this date.
Hotel Accommodations
Grand Traverse Resort
100 Grand Traverse Resort Village Blvd, Acme, MI 49610
For conference participants, a block of rooms is reserved at the Grand Traverse Resort at the rate of $98.00 for hotel guest rooms and $169.00 for tower guestrooms, applicable Monday, November 9, through Thursday, November 12. Additional adults in the guest’s room are $15.00 per person. An assessment tax of 5% for local lodging applies. A daily resort fee of $20.95 will be added to the guest room charge, which includes high-speed internet access in hotel and tower guest rooms, daily newspaper upon request, and use of safe deposit box, free parking, unlimited use of resort fitness center including cardiovascular and strength training equipment, whirlpools, saunas and indoor pools, and on-property shuttle service to Cherry Capital Airport and Turtle Creek Casino. Rooms are equipped with coffee makers, hair dryers, and irons.
The Grand Traverse Resort is happy to honor the Early On discounted group rate for our block of rooms until October 19, 2026, subject to availability. Please remember to bring your tax-exempt ID information with you to supply to hotel staff upon check-in. An individual’s deposit is refundable to that individual minus a $25.00 cancellation fee if the GTR receives notice of the cancellation at least 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival.
Registration can be made by either:
- Calling the hotel directly at (800)-968-7352 or (231)-543-6001 and mention group code ERO1126 and the Early On Conference 2026
- Using the online system and book direct, Hotel Link for Reservations
Sleep Inn
5520 US 31 North, Acme, MI 49610
$74.00 Queen or King (reserved by October 12, 2026)
Call Hotel Front Desk: 231-938-7000 and mention the Early On Conference or book online.
Pointes North Beachfront Resort Hotel
2211 US 31 North, Traverse City, MI 49686
$89.00 King Studio (reserved by October 12, 2026)
Call Hotel Front Desk: 231-938-9191 and mention the Early On Conference.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
3536 Mt Hope Rd. Williamsburg, MI 49690
$99.00 Queen (reserved by October 26, 2026)
Call Hotel Front Desk: 231-938-2600 and mention the Early On Conference or book online.
ParkShore Resort
1401 US 31 North, Traverse City, MI 49686
$159.99-169.99 Queen or King (reserved by September 9, 2026)
Call Hotel Front Desk: 231-947-3800 and mention the Early On Conference or book online.
Continuing Education
We are excited to offer the following continuing education credits to professionals across various disciplines, pending approval:
- Occupational Therapy CEUs
- Physical Therapy CEUs
- Social Work CEUs
- ASHA Professional Development Hours
- State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs)
- MiRegistry Training Hours
Agenda:
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Tuesday - November 10, 2026
Registration and Continental Breakfast: Tuesday - 8:00am to 9:00am
Preconference Morning Sessions: Tuesday - 9:00am to 11:45am
A - Early Intervention Leadership Through an Adult Learning Lens
Dana Childress, PhD, Old Dominion University
As an early intervention leader, you engage adult learners every day. Whether your staff are new or more seasoned, there is always something to learn so it can be helpful to consider how you cultivate a culture of learning, effective communication and relationships, and shared responsibility. This session will examine Early Intervention leadership through an adult learning theory lens. We will discuss the 5 competency sets for effective Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education leadership then connect them to adult learning principles. Through engaging discussion, we will share lots of strategies for developing your leadership because you are an adult learner too.
(Advanced)
B - Advancing Parent-Child Interaction Observation in Early Intervention
Mary Mackrain, PhD, MDHHS
What does quality parent-child interaction really look like, and how do early intervention providers observe it with skill, cultural humility, and reflective awareness? This preconference session builds on Michigan's Parent-Child Interaction Observation Guide, combining hands-on practice, video analysis, peer feedback, and case scenarios to strengthen service providers' confidence and competency in observing, interpreting, and applying interaction data to support families.
(Introductory)
C - Promoting Children’s Literacy and Healthy Digital Media Habits Early On
Nicole Hamp, MD, Autism Alliance of Michigan
Tiffany Munzer, MD, Michigan Medicine
During this session, presenters will discuss the evidence base and approaches for promoting early childhood literacy. Additionally, presenters will review what the research supports on digital media use and how to balance opportunities for early childhood literacy in the context of a wired world.
(Introductory)
D - Behavior as Communication: Rethinking Our Role and Response
Kelsey Brewer, M.A., Alt + Shift
Megan Hojnacki, Alt + Shift
When a toddler "acts out," what are they really telling us? Explore behavior as a primary communication form for infants and toddlers with complex needs. Shift from seeking compliance to supporting communication. Participants will examine adult bias, use the Communicative Behavior Inventory to attribute meaning to actions, and introduce AAC to support autonomy and connection within natural daily routines.
(Intermediate)
E - When Motor Milestones Don’t Follow the Expected Path: Guidance for Early Interventionists and Parents
Sandra Newitt, PT, MPT, Livonia Public Schools/Wayne RESA
Lisa Perugi Ed. S. IMH-E®, Wayne RESA
Modern caregiving practices often limit movement opportunities, contributing to delayed and atypical motor development. This session explores how to recognize concerning movement patterns, identify foundational movement challenges and compensatory strategies, and implement practical, play-based interventions. Participants will leave with frameworks for movement analysis, functional outcome planning, and intervention within everyday routines.
(Intermediate)
Morning Break: Tuesday - 10:15am to 10:30am
Lunch: Tuesday - 11:45am to 12:45pm
Preconference Afternoon Sessions: Tuesday - 1:00pm to 3:45pm
A - Early Intervention Leadership Through an Adult Learning Lens
Dana Childress, PhD, Old Dominion University
As an early intervention leader, you engage adult learners every day. Whether your staff are new or more seasoned, there is always something to learn so it can be helpful to consider how you cultivate a culture of learning, effective communication and relationships, and shared responsibility. This session will examine Early Intervention leadership through an adult learning theory lens. We will discuss the 5 competency sets for effective Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education leadership then connect them to adult learning principles. Through engaging discussion, we will share lots of strategies for developing your leadership because you are an adult learner too.
(Advanced)
B - Advancing Parent-Child Interaction Observation in Early Intervention
Mary Mackrain, PhD, MDHHS
What does quality parent-child interaction really look like, and how do early intervention providers observe it with skill, cultural humility, and reflective awareness? This preconference session builds on Michigan's Parent-Child Interaction Observation Guide, combining hands-on practice, video analysis, peer feedback, and case scenarios to strengthen service providers' confidence and competency in observing, interpreting, and applying interaction data to support families.
(Introductory)
C - ISD-Level Early On Coordinators and Administrators: Learn, Collaborate, and Elevate
Sophia D'Agostino, PhD, Utah State University
Jennifer Champagne, PhD, Clinton County RESA Office of Innovative Projects
This preconference session is for ISD-level Early On Coordinators and Administrators and is replacing the Early On Coordinator breakfast. All ISD-level Early On Coordinators and Administrators are encouraged to attend. The focus will be on Practice-Based Coaching for early interventionists. The session will feature highlights from the Early On Workforce Coaching Project and an in-depth discussion of Practice-Based Coaching. Dr. Sophia D'Agostino will be presenting content, sharing resources, and facilitating discussion to extend our learning.
(Intermediate)
D - Before the Behavior: A Four-Pillar Framework for Reflective Birth to 3 Coaching
Jana Curtis, M.A., Weaving Legacy
Before the Behavior introduces the Four Pillars Framework as a reflective coaching lens for Birth to 3 professionals. Participants will explore how readiness, relationship, resilience, and resourcefulness shape regulation and engagement before challenges escalate. This session strengthens coaching practice by shifting the focus from managing behavior to designing supportive conditions for infants, toddlers, families, and providers.
(Intermediate)
E - Nurturing the Nurturer: Caring for Yourself While You Care for Families
Audrey Farrugia, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Eastern Michigan University
Stacey Konarske, Wayne RESA
Angela Colaluca, Wayne RESA
Working in Early On is as rewarding as it is demanding. Navigating the complexities of early intervention can lead professionals toward exhaustion. This session is designed to move beyond the clichés of self-care and dive into evidence-based strategies to protect your energy. Participants will identify the signs of compassion fatigue and build a toolkit to stay engaged in the profession.
(Introductory)
Afternoon Break: Tuesday - 2:15pm to 2:30am
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